Dr. Meena Julapalli, MD

Dr. Meena Julapalli is a nationally known pediatric dermatologist who blends top-tier academic training with a joyful, trauma-sensitive approach to skin health. She has cared for children and adolescents in leading children’s hospitals, published widely on complex pediatric skin disease, and now brings that experience to families who want expert, whole-person, integrative care — not just a prescription.

“Everyone has a story to tell, and I want to know yours. When kids and their parents feel seen, heard, understood, and valued for who they are, they no longer feel alone or defined or limited by their challenges and become empowered with the tools they need to advocate for themselves. Instilling hope leads to the possibility of healing, wholeness, and joy.

Board certification & licensure

• American Board of Dermatology — Dermatology
• American Board of Dermatology — Pediatric Dermatology
• American Board of Pediatrics

Training & education

• Fellowship, Pediatric Dermatology — University of Colorado
• Residency, Dermatology — Baylor College of Medicine,
• Residency, Pediatrics — Baylor College of Medicine
• MD — Baylor College of Medicine
• BA — Rice University
• Additional training in clinical hypnotherapy, HeartMath, trauma-sensitive approaches, Reiki, kids’ yoga, and story-based mindset coaching — used to support kids with chronic skin conditions.

Selected publications & speaking (representative)

Dr. Julapalli has authored and co-authored chapters in Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology Secrets Plus, Netter’s Pediatrics, and Textbook of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, with specific work on papulosquamous eruptions, hemangiomas, skin infections, and multisystem pediatric skin disease — the exact conditions that can be difficult for generalists. She also speaks widely at dermatology, integrative, and pediatric conferences on “cultivating joy in medicine,” “energy medicine,” and “loving the skin you’re in.” 

1. Papulosquamous Skin Eruptions — Fitzpatrick’s Dermatology Secrets Plus
2. Dermatologic Morphology — Netter’s Pediatrics
3. Multisystem Management of Epidermolysis Bullosa — Severe Skin Diseases in Children
4. *Listen To the Song In My Heart *and Bluebird, Oh Bluebird, What Makes Your Heart Sing? — children’s books about discovering your joy and the joys of the world around you

Service, community & advocacy

A signature part of Dr. Julapalli’s story is her decades-long work with Camp Discovery and other psychosocial programs for kids with severe and life-altering skin disease — recruiting patients and medical staff, fundraising, and building experiences that help children feel seen. That aligns neatly with Tono’s “excellence + humanity” language.